Forty Years Among the Indians: A true yet thrilling narrative of the author's experiences among the nativesJones, Daniel W. (Daniel Webster)
History
Forty Years Among the Indians: A true yet thrilling narrative of the author's experiences among the natives
Jones, Daniel W. (Daniel Webster)
Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.); Indians of North America; Latter Day Saint pioneers -- Biography
I hitched up a team and started for home when everything was in
shape. I reached Salt Lake City a few hours ahead of the freight
teams, and went to President Young's office. He was very glad to see
me, expressing much sympathy and saying that if he had known of our
suffering in time he would have sent us supplies at any cost. I acted
a little stiff for I did not know whether my management of the last
business would be approved of or not, but I was determined to defend my
actions, for I knew I had done the best I could.
Soon Brother Young asked me if I had attended to everything in order
before leaving. My reply was, "I hope I did but do not know."
"Well, you acted according to my instructions, did you not?"
"I don't know. I did not get any instructions, and it was pretty hard
on me."
I handed him my book saying: "Here is a report of what we did; I hope
it is satisfactory."
Brother Brigham asked his clerk, T. D. Brown, about the letter of
instructions. Brother Brown said a few days after the last of these
companies left, in looking over his papers he found a letter directed
to D. W. Jones. It was the letter that should have been sent.
Brother Brigham commenced reading my report, and as he read would
remark, "That is right; this is right. Well, you seemed to get along
all right."
I began to feel pretty good. Finally Brother Brown was told to look
over the letter, which was very large, containing many items of special
instructions. My report agreed with the whole of it. This confirmed
me more than ever in my faith in inspiration. Also in the honesty of
Brigham Young and his counseling, for if his instructions had not
been honest I would never have been inspired to anticipate them. The
trouble lies with us; we many times want to dictate the inspiration,
or, in other words, put forward our own ideas and desires and call them
inspirations.
I met my mother-in-law in Salt Lake City and heard from my wife and two
children, who were living with Father P. Colton in Provo. We started
for home the next day, where I met my family after so long and severe a
trip. It was with joy and thankfulness that I greeted my wife, who was
one of the best and most faithful wives that ever blessed a husband.
This was the spring after what is known as the winter of the
Reformation. The reformation move was doubtless intended for and
resulted in good; but like everything else where good is found the
devil comes along to see what's up. So it was nothing strange if while
browsing around he had a hand in some of the moves of men. This I soon
became satisfied was the case now, and I did not take much "stock" in
what some people called reformation.
When I left Devil's Gate, it was with the understanding that I was
to return there and take charge of the place as a Y. X. station, but
Brother Brigham countermanded the order, saying that I had had enough
of Devil's Gate for one man.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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